It’s the perfect time for our Shetland Pony Photography Day. The sun is out, the wildflowers are in bloom and the ponies are nearly ready.
Beautiful Shetland Pony Photography Day
The ponies have been shampooed and the children are arriving for our Pony Share Members Photography Day in the gorgeous wildflower meadows at The Ranch.
Which ponies like the photos the most?
Snowdrop is looking really sparkly white for his photo shoot, Gordon is all glossy, and Honeybee is getting ready too, but Sundance is not so keen to pose amongst the white moon daisies.
Getting the perfect pony photo is not easy
The ponies love to graze and browse in the wildflower meadows and it takes time to capture the perfect Shetland pony photo.
Frame that pony!
Take a look at the fun photo frame in the buttercup meadow and find out which pony is the best at posing for his photo.
Come and share Shetland pony Snowdrop’s snowy day at Shetland Pony Club.
Shetland pony Snowdrop’s snowy day
Snowdrop is enjoying the glorious winter sunshine and crisp snow at The Ranch. But are the other Shetland ponies being kind to him?
Are all the Shetland ponies happy?
Shetland ponies can eat for most of the day and night, so with plenty of hay to enjoy munching, they are very happy in the snow. Eating food helps to keep them warm and the sunshine dries their fluffy coats. Toffee and lots of the other ponies look happy today, but what about Snowdrop?
Find out what makes Snowdrop happy?
Rosemary knows the secret to make Shetland pony Snowdrop’s snowy day. Find out what she does for him.
We are planning to reopen on Saturday 6 March 2021, although this is subject to coronavirus restrictions and may be later. As soon as we have further information, we will let you know.
Stop worrying about lockdown and let’s enjoy our 2020 Shetland Pony Club review, as it has been a year like no other, for all of us. We opened in March after the wettest February on record and were looking forward to some lovely sunny weather.
Stop worrying about lockdown!
After just two weeks of pony fun in March, the national lockdown gave the ponies an extended holiday and time to enjoy the lovely spring weather that followed. There were amazing wildflowers for the ponies to enjoy – but where were the children? The ponies did a lot of eating and playing and Hector Moonbeam even joined a birthday party on zoom.
Enjoy our 2020 Shetland Pony Club review
We finally opened in June for members only, with Shetland pony leading and extensive COVID-safe planning and training for all. We had a summer of pony fun, with camps and parties, followed by lots of Halloween Pumpkin Rides this autumn.
It was tough for our staff too, with exams and graduations cancelled, we had our own celebrations at The Ranch.
Life for the ponies went on as normal with visits from the farrier and dentist, and lots more eating!
Now we have gone full circle and the ponies are on an early holiday, as we lockdown and remember all the Shetland pony fun in 2020.
The government has ordered stables and riding centres to close from Thursday 5 November 2020 as part of the lockdown in England. So, we are now closed for the winter and we plan to reopen on Saturday 6 March 2021.
What does this mean for my November pony riding booking?
Customers with November bookings have been contacted to move your booking, or organise a voucher or a refund. If you have not heard from us please do contact the office on 07734 950 309 or email us at info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk
Members will be contacted separately in the coming days about their November riding and membership for 2021.
We hope you are all surviving the lockdown at home and getting on well with home schooling. In this week’s video, catch up with the ponies playing together in their new field and there is a new craft for you to try at home. If you haven’t already joined our new online pony club the link is below the video!
Pony Update
Our three new ponies, Snowdrop, Tintin and Simba have been busy exploring a new paddock at The Ranch. Find out what they like to eat in their new field.
How to make easy Shetland Pony Biscuits
Lucy and Amy are bringing you another “Crafty Shetland Pony” idea: decorating Shetland Pony Biscuits. You can make them at home with simple ingredients you already have. If you don’t have everything there are lots of adaptations you can make to achieve the same fun pony designs that the children will enjoy making.
You will need:
Chocolate buttons (ideally milk and white)
Knife (ask a grown-up to help)
Any rectangular biscuits (or cut down different shaped biscuits)
Coloured icing tubes (one dark), or make your own coloured icing
Edible eyes (or make your own with icing and white chocolate chips)
We hope you have fun making them and would love to see some photos of your creations. Email them in to: info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk
Shetland Pony Club Online – join now for free
If you are enjoying our Crafty Shetland Pony video series, we are excited to let you know that our new Online Shetland Pony Club website is now live. It’s packed with lots of pony fun and learning for you to enjoy. You can sign up here for free now.
Ranch closure and bookings rescheduling information
The Ranch remains closed until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.
All paid bookings from June onwards – should it become apparent that we are not going to reopen from June, all paid bookings will be issued with a voucher code in due course, to enable you to rebook at a future date to suit you.
Gift Vouchers – expiry dates will be extended if you are unable to use them within the current expiry period.
Pony Share Membership is on hold and members have been notified of this.
Refunds – we hope that you will support the ponies, if you are able to, by accepting a voucher code to ride in the future. Should you require a refund instead, please email us and we will organise this for you.
Take care from
The Shetland Pony Club Team and all the Shetland ponies
Starter Rides –are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 2½ years old. They cost £40 per child.
Own a Pony Experiences – are 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. Children enjoy both riding and pony care. They cost £60 per child.
Pony Birthday Parties – amazing pony parties for children aged 2½ -10 years old. Use of our private facility at The Ranch, with 6 ponies creating magical memories for your child’s birthday.
Summer pony camp days and weeks – enjoy the whole day with your favourite Shetland pony. Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. 9.30am – 4pm, Summer holidays only. Age 5+. £125 per day or £500 per week.
We open on 7 March and you can book for the whole season until end November.
